by David Brenneman
"Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:1-2.
"Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited." Hebrews 13:7-9.
"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things." Hebrews 13:15-18.
Today's got a lot in it. Had some nightmares last night that I am struggling to forget. This morning marks the 2,000th post on here. Last night I might have finally discovered a site to help me convert this to a book format. Not that this will cease to be written...was encouraged years ago to create a book of these. God's taking this to the world. 2 years ago I celebrated the blog passing 90,000...today its passed 211,000. For certain to God be the glory great things He hath done.
Here in Hebrews, the writer by way of the Spirit of God, provides teaching that we all can take a firm grasp of ourselves. Some so-called Churches teach that you must follow their legalistic ideologies to be right with Jesus. Jesus said His burden is easy and His load is light. No where near the same thing.
While we do have leaders within the Church...they should always be subject to accountability. Jesus only practiced and displayed servant leadership.
We too have much to be doing in the body of Christ. In no way are we to set bad examples to others in the faith let alone to have others outside the faith see misconduct or perceive misconceptions about what is right and true in Christ Jesus from our lives.
Our world wants a particular kind of conformity...a world approved conformity. One that it will deny yet the Bible states is rooted entirely in sin.
Our lives are to be lived in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. How are they going to do this if we aren't living it out every day?
Prayer is to be a form of life-blood to the Believer. Not a last resort.
We can easily be the quickest to run to doom and gloom. Run instead to our Father in Heaven. That's our royal right in Christ Jesus.
We cannot nor will we ever get the whole picture.
We aren't to live life in the ways of the world either. The more I live the more I learn the need to let go in order to gain.
While the approval of men is nice, the approval of my Savior is to be paramount.
It may cost you friends and family to put your relationship with Jesus Christ first and foremost in your life.
I know not what my future holds...but as the saying goes...I know who holds my future.
The short set of instructions we find in Hebrews isn't difficult.
It only builds on "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself."
It is found on the path we walk in "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.".
We over-complicate life with "must do's" that people come up with. Having the Word of God should be all we really need. I have seen people trying to create their own version of what the Church is to be. It's plain to see they didn't ask God about their 'vision'.
God never said there's only one version of the Bible that must only be used.
God never said that there's multiple ways to build a Church.
Jesus Christ is the Word.
The Spirit builds the Church.
What are you holding onto that isn't what the Spirit has been trying to teach you about?
We all have much to learn concerning growing in Christ.
We all will never 'arrive' until we pass from this life to the next.
We DO honor Jesus when we ask "show me more!". When we sit at His feet and ask "Explain this to me...". We do honor Him when we pray for our enemies, praying also for those in authority over us in this world.
We dishonor Him when we choose to disobey. When we knowingly put people or things above Him in our lives.
There's nothing unreasonable nor complicated about the true teaching of the Spirit of God.
No doubt the Disciples often had confused looks on their faces by way of reading how Jesus saw them. "Do you still not understand?".
We're in good company.
We also should be encouraged.
The Father chose 12 ordinary men and changed the world.
We're really no different...the difference is in our obedience just as it was with them.
How was David a man after God's own heart? His honest heart-to-heart talks with Jesus.
How will you and I develop our own heart the same way? Same way David did...by his prayers. Many of the Psalms are in fact prayers.
Search me oh God and know my heart today...as the hymn says.
If it pleases you...pray about it.
If it annoys you...pray about it.
If it angers you...take it to Jesus and see if you're seeing it correctly.
If it's possibly looking too good to be true...pray about it...ask for wisdom.
If it's going to hurt your relationship with Jesus...run from it.
Pray on...pray over...pray through.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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